The macabre dance of death in the affected areas of North-east district have seen several houses, shops, schools and factories being burnt by mobs from Sunday to Tuesday. The area on Friday resembled a ghost town with buildings bearing the brunt of the frenzied mobs led by pro and anti- Citizen Amendment Act (CAA) protesters even as toll rose to 42 after four victims of riots succumbed to injuries in hospitals.
The devastation saw as many as 79 houses, 52 shops, two schools, three factories, four godowns and four mosques being burned. According to the Delhi Fire Service (DFS) officials, there hundreds of calls were received after vehicles were torched.
Over 500 cars, trucks and busses were gutted after being set on fire by the mobs in riot- hit areas. Police said they received more than 12,000 distress calls from Sunday to Thursday.
“An estimated 218 calls of fire incidents were reported in riot-hit North-east Delhi between Monday and Thursday,” said a senior DFS official.
Firefighters faced difficulties to reach locations as even fire tenders were set on blaze by rioters.
“Fire officials were also attacked by the mob and some could reach the spot with help from police,” said the senior DFS official.
“As many as 1,000 trips were made in the entire Northeast district area by our fire vehicles. During the violence, five fire engines were damaged, including one which was completely charred. Some of the firefighters even had to take shelter to save themselves after the vehicles were attacked,” the senior fire official said.
Meanwhile, a senior police official said they are investigating all 123 First Information Reports (FIRs) registered for rioting, looting, violence, arson and firing.
“Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) teams on Friday had visited the spot and samples to ascertain what kinds of chemicals were used by the mobs for arson, have been collected by them,” said the senior police official.